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House Rejects 2013 Farm Bill with 195-234 Vote

Jun 20, 2013

The House failed to pass a new farm bill today, rejecting H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM), with a 195-234 vote. Agriculture and commodity groups are reacting to the failure, as well as Washington and other industries affected by the farming legislation.

"On this day, on this vote, the House worked its will. I’m obviously disappointed, but the reforms in H.R. 1947- $40 billion in deficit reduction, elimination of direct payments and the first reforms to SNAP since 1996 – are so important that we must continue to pursue them. We are assessing all of our options, but I have no doubt that we will finish our work in the near future and provide the certainty that our farmers, ranchers, and rural constituents need."

– Frank Lucas, chairman, House Agriculture Committee

“The National Corn Growers Association is extremely disappointed to see the House of Representatives fail to pass the 2013 farm bill. Up to the last minute our organization has actively and consistently called for passage of the legislation. We will be engaged in all efforts needed to secure passage in the House and bring the bill to Conference.”

– Pam Johnson, president, National Corn Growers Association

“Today’s failure leaves the entire food and agriculture sector in the lurch. Once again, the nation’s soybean farmers and the 23 million Americans whose jobs depend on agriculture are left holding the bag.

“This bill would have reinforced the farm safety net, promoted our products in foreign markets, strengthened the fast-growing biodiesel industry, enhanced conservation programs; not to mention the stable, affordable and safe supply of food, feed, fiber and fuel that it would have ensured for all Americans; all while addressing our collective fiscal and budgetary obligations. Now, none of those benefits can be realized and a debilitating uncertainty extends from farmers to consumers as we all face the expiration of farm bill programs on Sept. 30.

“It is incumbent on both Republicans and Democrats to find a way forward for American agriculture.”

– Danny Murphy, president, American Soybean Association

“The House farm bill failed commonsense conservation standards, and it failed to get enough votes to pass. Reasonable measures to protect taxpayers and natural resources must be included a farm bill. The National Wildlife Federation will continue to fight for a farm bill that includes a link between conservation compliance and crop insurance, and a National Sodsaver program.”

– Larry Schweiger, CEO, National Wildlife Federation CEO

“We felt we had a very strong bill for specialty crops that was supported by members from both sides of the aisle. We strongly encourage the House Leadership and the House Agriculture Committee to get back together and bring back to the House floor a bill that can pass before the current extension expires at the end of September.”

– Robert Guenther, United Fresh Produce Association

“Farmers and ranchers and their lenders need a new five-year bill to make long-term planning decisions. Having this important safety net in place allows producers to secure loans and provides some assurance to lenders of their repayment ability. The bill would have reauthorized important USDA business and farm loan programs and strengthened crop and revenue insurance programs that have become essential risk management tools for most farmers. Differences need to be overcome for a farm bill to be enacted this year.”